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Highlights
She needed a break. She just had to take one. The hustle bustle of people at her home, rushing around to make preparations for her, for her marriage, were taking her nervousness to altogether new levels. She was nervous as heck in the first place, and the urgency with which people were making arrangements made the jitters in her stomach feel like ache. She just realized how important an affair all of this was. The marriage. The weight of realizing this made her feel things she was not sure she liked or not. But they were something she had never felt before. Had she ever felt like a brick dropped down her stomach before? No. Had she ever felt these weird shivers run through the tips of her fingers before? No. Totally alien. And she hated venturing into unknown waters. It was just not her thing. She always played safe. To escape these overbearing feelings, she made an excuse of wanting fresh air and slipped out of the room, not before noticing her mom give her a knowing smile.
Sonakshi went up to the terrace which thankfully was devoid of people. She could really do with some alone time now. She needed to sort her thoughts out. Never had she felt this nervous, confused, happy and elated before. Was this what people called 'wedding jitters'? She didn't know.
She looked up to find the evening sky look a serene and mesmerizing pink, a colour she had never seen before. Looking at the wide expanse of the infinite sky, in a beautiful shade of pink, finally, brought Sonakshi the much needed tranquility she was searching for. She felt an immediate homeliness with her surroundings. Leaning against the walls of her terrace, a calm smile playing on her lips, she continued looking at the sky. It looked like a bride awaiting her groom's arrival, flushing incessantly. Her. It looked like her. Chuckling slightly at the simile she made out, she turned away to see the decoration lights being put on as the evening was setting in. There were blue ones, white ones, yellow ones and there were pink ones, all dangling from the top of their building casting a faint glow around the terrace. There were lights of all colours. Colours reminded her of him. Of Dev Dixit.
Somehow, she felt colours held a very prominent role in their love story. Love story, she thought, love story with Dev Dixit. Who would've known? She smiled to herself. They were like water and fire, always on the extreme sides. Always arguing. Wait. They still WERE like that, who was she kidding. But still, they understood each other the best. They always brought out the best out of each other. Woah! Didn't they both just make the clichd 'opposites attract' come true? Way to go Sona, she thought, chuckling. Your life has become a Karan Johar film.
Dev Dixit. What has he done to her? The smile plastered to her face, making her cheeks ache, was all thanks to Mr. Rude Dixit. Obhodro, bi-polar specialist, rude as hell, handsome as handsome could be, Dev Dixit.
The mere thoughts of him made her cheeks flush a beautiful shade of pink. Today was all about pink for her, she decided. She chose to stand near the pink lights, thinking about her life. For her, life was all about small but effective and essential things. She was not sure she'd remember all the details of her marriage or not, but she could bet all her money that she'd remember every thought that crossed her mind today for eternity. Today felt very important to her.
Without meaning to do so, she subconsciously conjured up all the highlights of her life in a deftly arranged reel, play in front of her eyes. Her maa, baba, dadi and dada. Her childhood, Kolkata, her birthdays, her school and excursions. Her college, them moving to Delhi, she becoming a doctor. Her job, her family and meeting Dev Dixit. Fighting with him. Deciphering the mystery he was. She falling in love with him, and almost losing him. The exhilaration she felt when he confessed he loved her too, the goofy and madly-in-love stuff they did together. Losing him again, yet, to be back in his arms again.
All these memories took her emotions on an overdrive. Tears, her faithful companions of happiness and grief, came down rolling, this time accompanying her undiluted happiness. She reached somewhere. Her life had landed her here. She had a wonderful life, she realized. And was going to have an excellent one ahead too, her optimistic brain assured her.
God! She needs to get a hold on herself. Too mushy. Why was she becoming so mushy? Sure, it was her marriage tomorrow. But did every bride feel the same way before her wedding? Or was she some nutcase?
Or maybe the efforts it took into making this wedding become a reality were the reason behind the tears. It wasn't an easy journey. No. It was THE toughest thing she ever did in her life. But it was all worth. Because she, is now getting married to the love of her life, Dev, with the hearty consent of her parents. What more would any girl want? She felt like the gladdest soul alive on earth.
The wedding happening tomorrow was going to be another highlight of her life. But more than the marriage she was looking forward to her life ahead with Dev. It wasn't going to be easy. She had come to terms with that fact long time ago. But she would have HIM by her side. She would have his unconditional love and support with her. And together, they would face every challenge life tosses their way. Marriage was very important. But for her, the promises they made to each other was their real marriage. She respected the institution of marriage. But love, she believed, is above all.
Lost in thoughts, it took her a few seconds to realize her phone was vibrating in her hand. The huge grin that spread on her face, looking at the caller ID would put all toothpaste commercial models to shame.
"Hey," she breathed out. "Ms. Bose," said Dev's voice on the other end. She could sense a smile in his voice. "You are crying?" he asked her casually. Taken aback, she looked around her to see if a pair of brown eyes were staring back at her. When she didn't find anything, she furrowed her eyebrows and asked, "Are you stalking me, Mr. Dixit?" "You are forgetting something very crucial, Miss Bose," he said.
"What?"
"That I love you. And, that I can predict really well, what you are upto. And where you are even. I am that great." He said.
"Good! Now do we need to bow down to the world's new Prophecy God- Dev Dixit?" She asked, chuckling.
"No need. A good kiss would do," he said making her roll her eyes, smiling.
"Tumi ekdum impossible." Pat came the reply.
"God! Think I just kissed you," he said with an adorably disguised longing, making her laugh. And her heart flutter.
"You are super random today." She pointed out, smiling. Today she smiled like she breathed. Her cheeks were aching! But the man on the other end of the phone was worth everything, she thought.
They were silent for a while. She felt somebody bump their shoulder into hers. "Random and jobless," she heard the person say. She looked upto find the cause of her aching cheeks looking at her with undiluted love in his eyes.
She jumped onto him grinning from ear to ear, hugging the life out of him. He hugged her back, with a fervour equaling hers. "You are here," she smiled drawing back. "I am," he nodded his agreement. "Thought I'd do the task I assigned to you, myself," he said smirking. "What task?" "This," he said pulling her closer her by her hair and kissing her full on the mouth for a few, brief seconds, the intensity sending a shiver down her spine. Managing to catch her breath, she said, "You are being bold today. Let me remind you, Mr. Dixit, this is my house and my baba, maa stay here with me. I don't want them to see me like this," she said shuddering. "And we are not suppossed to meet just before the wedding. So how did you come in unnoticed?"she asked, placing her hands on his waist holding him in a half hug. "No. I did not come in by stealth. You're mom sent me in. She infact asked me to call you too. I wasn't sure if I should. I thought you'd be busy. But your mom said you needed me and sent me here. I love your mom. She's super cool!" he said locking his hands behind her back, drawing her closer. She smiled. His mom approved of Dev so much. "So you came to know about my crying because my mom told you and not because of your seer skills?" She said mockingly aghast. "I was ready to get married to you becuase you could predict" she said pouting. Bending to kiss her on her nose, he asked " Now what can I do to win you back?" He asked.
"Very simple. I am an easy person to cajole. So tell me, why do you love me?" she asked, her eyes, full of adoration boring into the wonder man's standing in front of her. The playful mood long gone was replaced by a moment which felt so important to both of them, that they waited with baited breath for it to unravel. "Okay. So here I go. Sonakshi Bose. The wonder woman of my life. The strong headed, confident, charming, smart and beautiful person that you are impressed me the very first time I met you at the hospital. Your commitment towards work, your love for your profession and your self respect all warned me I am dealing with a hard task at hand. But I forced you to work for me. And I don't, sort of, regret it. Don't give me that look," he added to Sonakshi who narrowed her eyes. "Had I not done that, I wouldn't have had you in my life. You cheeked me. You made me question myself. You made me realize it is important to live for one's own self too. You became a confidant, my best friend, and I was a stupid not to realize you've become something more too. It took me time to realize that the ceaseless thoughts I had of you were all indications that I loved you. You brought colours into my life. Literally and figuratively. And most importantly made me know about Fifty Shades of Grey," he said smiling goofily earning a chuckle from her.
"And then, I lost you," he said, his eyes drowning into an abyss of guilt and sorrow, "I did the worst mistake of my life. But I think everything happens for reason.Because the whole ordeal made me realize I just can't effing live without you. I love you, Sonakshi Bose. You mean the world to me." He said bringing his rant to a stop. What followed was a calm silence for few seconds. Sonakshi stood on her toe tips, brought Dev's face closer and kissed him putting all her unsaid emotions into it. It was slow and deliberate. And he reciprocated, his hand on her waist, holding her to him. After what she was sure was their longest kiss yet and the most meaningful, she drew back and said, "I love you." The weight of her voice surprised both him and her. Her voice was laced with every emotion she went through that evening, before his arrival. And it sent a shiver done his spine. There was something very intoxicating about her, which made him want to kiss her senseless.
"You look very cute when you rant," she said grinning. "Cute?" he said making a face. "I am not sure I like that description much. Why can't it be something like hot? "Okay, scorching hot, stunningly handsome and dashingly smart. Done?" she aksed. "Yeah," he said chuckling appreciatively.
She rested her head on his chest. He pulled her closer, locking her in his arms. They were silent for a while. Both of them taking their own sweet time to etch this memory in their minds for ever. There was something else Sonakshi wanted to ask him. She was sure he wouldn't like it. But she had to try. She called, "Dev?" "Hmm..."
"Why were you so lost on the day of our Sangeet?" She felt him tense under her. "What was you bothering you so much? Mujhe nahin bataoge, please?" He took a pregnant pause. "Um...I told you. I was just overwhelmed that our dream has become a reality. So I was becoming 'senti' as Nikki would put it," he said laughing, making a lame attempt at nonchalance. But she knew he was feigning. She just did. But she trusted him. She had just told her how much he loved her. He surely has his own reasons to hide whatever it was. She was stupid to have brought it up again. Now was just not the time for it. She loved him and he loved her. And that's what mattered. Just that.
She drew back and gave him the most genuine of her smiles to convince him and said, "I am here. I am right here. And you, are with me. Nothing can go wrong." She kissed him on his cheek. He looked relieved. That would be an understatement. He looked positively glad she let the topic drop. He relaxed hugging her back, hiding his head in the crook of her neck, saying, "I know, love. I know. Nothing will ever go wrong, baby. I promise." He said, his voice raw with emotions. The firm resolution in his statement made Sonakshi forget about this impending challenge. She gave into him and let him cradle the both of them back and forth.
This was the new beginning of her life. Their life. And she was ready for EVERYTHING. Because at the end, being with him, her love, would make it all worthwhile. And this day and moment, she noted at the back of her brain, as he started playing with the ends of her hair, was going to be one of the most important highlights of her life.
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I know I am late for this OS. But I had exams. Constructive criticism is always welcome.
Vignyathri.
Itti Si Khushi Sab TV
